Latest news with #Malacañang
UAE Moments
a day ago
- Climate
- UAE Moments
Back-to-Back Storms Slam PH, Fuel Flash Floods & Calamity Declarations
Two tropical cyclones just entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), and they're making their presence known — big time. Tropical depression Emong and tropical storm Dante are bringing heavy rains, floods, work and class suspensions across the country. Emong Hits Closer to Home Emong formed on the morning of July 23 and is already affecting Northern Luzon. As of 10 a.m., it was just 115 km west-northwest of Laoag City, packing winds of 45 km/h and gusts up to 55 km/h. PAGASA warns that rains will only get heavier — especially in Ilocos, La Union, and nearby provinces — with possible intense to torrential downpours in the next 48 hours. Signal No. 1 has been raised in parts of Ilocos, La Union, and Pangasinan, where strong winds and flash floods are expected. Dante Staying Distant, But Still Messy While Emong's busy soaking the north, Dante is floating farther out — 900 km east of Northern Luzon — and headed for Japan. But even at a distance, it's boosting the southwest monsoon or habagat, making everything wetter for days. No cyclone signals for Dante, but its monsoon boost is still a problem. Habagat Means Days of Rain With both storms feeding the habagat, rains are expected to keep pounding Luzon and parts of Visayas through July 26. Expect heavy showers especially in Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, and nearby provinces. Gusty winds are also hitting Luzon and Visayas, making outdoor plans a washout. Class and Work Suspensions Malacañang suspended classes in all levels and government work in Metro Manila and 36 provinces on July 24. Emergency and essential workers, though, still need to clock in. Several Areas Under State of Calamity Due to nonstop rain and flooding, many areas have declared a state of calamity, including: Manila Quezon City Malabon Cavite Cainta Cebu City Roxas, Palawan Multiple towns in Bulacan, Antique, and Pangasinan
GMA Network
a day ago
- Business
- GMA Network
19% vs. 0%? Lawmakers question new PH-US tariff deal
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. meets with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., July 22, 2025. REUTERS/ Kent Nishimura Lawmakers on Wednesday raised concerns on the new Philippines-United States trade deal, which imposes a 19% tariff on Philippine products entering the US against zero tariffs for at least some American exports to the Philippines. 'We ask Malacañang to make public this new trade deal with the US so we can scrutinize its possible impact on the local economy. We are interested to know what US agricultural products, if any, will be covered by zero tariffs and how this may impact on our local farmers,' Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan said. The deal was announced by US President Donald Trump during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s visit to the White House early Wednesday Philippine time. The new agreement reduces the earlier announced tariff for the Philippines of 20% by one percent. Marcos, who called the deal a "significant achievement," stressed that not all US goods will enjoy zero tariffs. Other senators said the 19-0 disparity is too huge of a margin to be considered fair. '19% vs. 0% tariffs is definitely not the most fair deal between decades-old friends or allies like the United States and the Philippines. If I may add, it is the worst insult that a host can throw at his guest. It is time for us to look for other trade partners,' Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said. 'Sobra ata tayong dehado. Akala ko ba 'little brown bro' ang turing sa atin ng mga Amerikano? Bakit tila lagi tayong naiisahan sa mga ganitong usapan? Sana ay gawing patas man lang kung tunay na kakampi ang tingin sa atin,' Senator JV Ejercito said. (We are too much at a disadvantage. I thought the Americans looked on us as their 'little brown bros'? Why does it seem we are always on the losing end in matters like this? They should at least make it even if they truly see us as an ally.) Senator Imee Marcos said the deal cannot be considered a win. 'I have yet to see the final agreement. However, a mere 1% reduction in tariff rates for Philippine goods while having zero tariffs for US goods certainly does not look like a win for the Philippines,' she said. Kabataan party-list Representative Renee Co, a lawyer, also said that flooding the country with American goods will not stir national development. 'The country is already deep in foreign debt, and now, we will be flooded with American goods because our President agreed to it. The government fails to strengthen our local industries because we just allow American goods to capture the lion's share of our market,' Co said. Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III gave the deal a good review. 'It carries direct benefits for our country,' he said. — BM, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Palace Rebukes VP Sara for Criticizing Typhoon Response, Rainwater Remark
Malacañang, through Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, strongly pushed back against Vice President Sara Duterte's recent criticisms of the government's handling of Typhoon Crising and President Marcos' rainwater reuse proposal. In a briefing, Castro said VP Duterte is not in a position to comment on the administration's disaster preparations as she is currently on vacation in The Hague and was absent during key emergency meetings held before President Marcos left for the U.S. Castro emphasized that government agencies such as the DSWD, DOTr, and the Philippine Coast Guard had already acted swiftly, including providing free transportation and preparing food packs, all under the directive of the President. Responding to Duterte's sarcastic remark suggesting floodwater be sent to Malacañang for the President to drink, Castro said the VP appeared unaware of existing rainwater collection laws, specifically Republic Act No. 6716 enacted in 1989. She added that this proposal is rooted in sustainable water management policy—not simply storing water in pails as Duterte implied. Castro also cited examples of active rainwater collection projects by the DPWH and legislative efforts by Rep. Robert Ace Barbers to mandate such systems nationwide, criticizing Duterte for mocking the idea without understanding its legal and practical basis.
GMA Network
a day ago
- Business
- GMA Network
NFA rice stocks good for 12 days —Palace
Malacañang on Wednesday said the rice buffer stocks at warehouses of the National Food Authority (NFA) are adequate for the government's response and relief efforts amid the adverse weather conditions. "Sabi ng NFA administration, super secure in terms of buffer stock ang NFA at meron po tayong enough stocks to last for 12 days. Buong Pilipinas po ay makakakain," Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing. (The NFA administration assured that we are secured in terms of buffer stock and the NFA has enough stocks to last for 12 days. The entire Philippines could be fed.) Castro said the NFA's rice stocks are available for release to requesting local government units (LGUs) and relief agencies. "Nationwide, wala pong nadanyos na stocks at ang NFA ay ready anytime to release stocks to requesting LGUs (local government units) and relief agencies," she said. (Rice stocks nationwide did not sustain any damage; the NFA is ready anytime to release stocks to requesting LGUs and relief agencies.) The Palace official made the clarification since Occidental Mindoro and Valenzuela City, sites of NFA warehouses, were affected by flooding due to heavy rains brought about by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, intensified by severe tropical storm Crising. Habagat is currently being monitored as it is being enhanced again by Tropical Storm "Dante" and tropical depression "Emong." —LDF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Filipino Times
Palace suspends classes, gov't work in NCR and 34 provinces due to Habagat
Malacañang announced that government offices and classes at all levels in Metro Manila and 34 provinces will be suspended on Wednesday, July 23, due to continuous heavy rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat). Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin issued Memorandum Circular No. 90 upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The suspension covers the following provinces: Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Palawan, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, and Laguna. Agencies providing vital services—including health, preparedness, and emergency response—will continue operations to ensure the delivery of essential functions. Non-vital personnel may adopt alternative work arrangements in line with existing regulations.
